WHO: Death & a terrified teenager WHERE: an internet cafe WHEN: Wednesday, August 31 WHAT: Sometimes it pays to learn, rather than simply be seen taking an interest. RATING: PG STATUS: narrative; complete
Death normally had no use for technology, as the inevitable end to all things came no matter what they managed to come up with as millennia swept by, but he had decided knowing how to use this message board might be of use in the time to come, and would be useful now with his current situation. The stack of post-its sat next to the keyboard as Death leaned over the shoulder of the teenager he had enlisted the aid of, and he grinned at the stack beneath the cover of the lowered visor of his bike helmet. But then Death, given his appearance, could do nothing but grin, so it was no real indication of anything, even if his face could be seen.
The boy's trembling had increased recently, sometime after it was revealed that not only did the message board need to be explained, but the basics of computer usage as well. Death attributed it to the fact his face was concealed, as humans never responded well to disguise, but it was easier to deal with them when they weren't quite certain who he was, for the most part. There were always the rare exceptions.
Though, perhaps it was just what the boy sensed. Some were far more perceptive than others, even when appearances were deceiving.
AND WHAT DOES THIS BUTTON DO?, he asked, reaching out to tap the shift key with one finger, unnaturally thin beneath his pale leather gauntlet.
"I-i-it's how you make stuff capitalized, like this," the boy said as he demonstrated, the tremor in his throat setting the heavy chains around his neck into a soft jingle.
INTERESTING. AND THIS ONE?, he asked, sliding the finger upward to to caps lock key.
"Capitals again-"
Death cut him off before he could continue further. IS THERE A REASON FOR THIS REDUNDANCY?
"Well, shift only does them one at a time. A-a-and caps does them until you turn it off."
IT IS REDUNDANT.
The trembling turned to outright shaking, as though he feared he would soon suffer for the existence of the shift and caps lock keys. "You don't have to use both. They're just there."
Death rose to his full height behind the chair, several patrons stirring near them as though the gesture had disturbed the very space around them. YOU WERE HELPFUL, NOW GO, he said, seating himself as the boy scrambled out of the chair in another flurry of clinking chains.
"You're sure you don't need me to stay?" the teen asked, though it would have been clear the only reason he was asking was a terrified sense of obligation.
NO. I WILL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK. And with no additional explanation offered for the statement, Death turned to face the computer.
The teenager needed no other dismissal than that and promptly fled.